Johnny was leading the posse two hours later when he signaled to the other men. “Rig comin’,” he called as they moved within hearing distance. “Ought to pass it just about where the road forks. Let’s hit it up a little.”
Riding in close formation, they began rapidly to diminish the distance between themselves and the oncoming team.
“Driver asleep, him,” the keen-eyed Charlie called to Johnny.
“Sorry, but we’ll have to disturb him,” Johnny answered. “Better spread out, boys. That team is runnin’.”
In ten minutes the team was almost up with them.
“Whoa, there!” Johnny cried, but the driver paid no attention to the hail. “Look out!” the boy shouted to Doc Ritter. “I’ll yank ’em as they go by.”
Whirling his horse, Johnny planted himself in the path of the galloping team. A mad dive for a
